A: Your entitlement to sickness benefit would have to be determined by a registered medical practitioner considering you to be incapable of work due to a specific disease or bodily or mental disablement even after you have become unemployed. You should however submit your claim for unemployment benefit provided that you are capable of and available for work but cannot obtain immediate employment elsewhere. If you qualify for both you will be paid for the one which is at the higher rate – in this case sickness benefit.